Red Wings' Chelios, Hasek consider returning

AP PhotoDetroit's Chris Chelios, left, was a healthy scratch during the Stanley Cup finals but already has said he's interested in returning to the Red Wings next season.

PITTSBURGH -- Perhaps the Detroit Red Wings' average age won't get lower next season, as the NHL's two-oldest players might return for one more kick at the Stanley Cup.

During Wednesday's Cup-clinching celebration at Mellon Arena, defenseman Chris Chelios reiterated his desire to return next season, and general manager Ken Holland said he would love to have him back.

Goaltender Dominik Hasek said he will decide on his future shortly, but if wants to return, Holland has left the door open.

Chelios, 46, was a healthy scratch during the finals but still will have his named etched on the Cup for the third time because he played 69 games during the regular season (the minimum to get on the Cup is 40).

The Red Wings are likely to bring him back as their seventh or eighth defenseman, someone who'll play a limited role and aid in the development of the younger defensemen.

Asked if wants to return, Chelios said, "Absolutely. Miss out on this, are you kidding? As long as Detroit has me I'm going to keep playing. I give them that depth they talk about, that experience. If I'm needed, I'll be there for them."

Holland called Chelios a great role model, a player with a lot of hockey left in him.

"Certainly I would love to have him back,'' Holland said. "He's still a good player and he loves hockey. He loves to compete and you can't have enough of those guys in the locker room.''

Holland was impressed with the way Chelios handled being a healthy scratch for the first time in his career.

"He's a consummate pro, he leads by example, he was out there (practicing) with the Black Aces (reserves) for a half-hour, hour every morning, trying to stay ready,'' Holland said. "What can you say about a guy who's going to go to the Hall of Fame? One of the greatest American players, if not the greatest American player, ever. He's pulling for the team, it wasn't about him, it was about he team.''

"When the team's having success it's so much easier to watch,'' Chelios said. "I feel just as important as the next guy. Been with this team for eight years. This is the greatest feeling in the world. Thank God I stuck around.''

Hasek, 43, said he also was happy to be around for his second Cup title, even though he lost his starting job to Chris Osgood after Game 4 of the opening round against Nashville.

"It (watching) is a little bit different, but still it was the reason I came back, and I am very happy for everyone,'' Hasek said.

Asked whether he will retire or return for another season, Hasek said, "Stanley Cup win will have nothing to do with my decision, which I'm going to make in the next week or two.''

If Hasek still has the drive to play and he's willing to accept a deal for about $1 million, the Red Wings are likely to re-sign him.

"If Dom tells me he's really motivated and wants to come back, I'm interested in talking,'' Holland said. "It takes a tremendous amount of energy to win a championship and you better feel you got a tremendous amount of energy because even when you feel you do, sometimes you don't. I'm not going to convince him to play. If he walks into my office and tells me there's passion there, there's energy, there's enthusiasm, then we're gong to have a long talk.''

Top prospect Jimmy Howard can remain in Grand Rapids (AHL) for one more season without clearing waivers.

"We like Jimmy Howard, but you can't have enough depth,'' Holland said. "I thought Dom and Ozzie the last two years have given us a tremendous one-two punch.''

Ilitch's kudos
Red Wings owner Mike Ilitch said his fourth Cup was, in many ways, the most gratifying.

"They expected us to go down. I'm not saying the (salary) cap was because of us, but everybody wanted a fair shot,'' Ilitch said. "I don't know how many of (his fellow owners) came up to me and said, 'We expect you to go down.' Guys like (assistant GM) Jimmy Nill, Kenny Holland and the scouting staff just wouldn't allow it. They did a great job.''

He said of coach Mike Babcock: "It took a lot of the coach to get a feel for the guys and for them to get a feel for him. He's a lieutenant; he comes in there tough. I think he maybe went down to sergeant to corporal and took it a little easier on them.''

He said Friday's parade will give the city a lift and was asked if embattled Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick is invited.

"He's the mayor of the city. He's got to be there. It's up to him,'' Ilitch said. "He's welcome to come and he's welcome to have some pizza.''

Odds & ends
The Red Wings clinched all four series of this Cup run on the road. The last seven series the Red Wings have won all have been wrapped up the road. The last time they clinched at home was during the 2002 Cup finals against Carolina. "A lot of people wondered if we could get it done, once again our resolve and came through,'' Kris Draper said. "We came in a tough building, a great atmosphere and won another game on the road. That says a lot about our team.'' ... With two assists Wednesday, Niklas Kronwall finished with 15, breaking the club's single-season playoff record for a defenseman. It previously was held by Nicklas Lidstrom (1998) and Chelios (2002), each of whom had 13.